i'm ellie. >> when you think of the u.s. marines, you typically think of soldiers hitting the beach in a hard-fought battle. but it's not all they do. nicole gives us a new view of the united states marines. >> welcome to marine barracks, washington. [ drums play ] it's the oldest active military post in the u.s. marine corps. >> marine barracks, washington, was founded on march 31, 1801, when president thomas jefferson rode on horseback with lieutenant colonel william ward burrows, our second commandant of the marine corps. they rode around southeast d.c. looking for a home for marine barracks, washington. >> ever since then, marines have been stationed here. >> there are seven companies that make up marine barracks, washington. altogether, we're stationed here we're about 1,200 marines, sailors, and civilians. >> one of the oldest buildings in washington is the commandant's home. the commandant is the highest-ranking marine. it's easy to see why the post was declared an historic landmark. everywhere you look, you're surrou